Medical Dry Eye Evaluation & Treatment
OptiHealth Optometry provides comprehensive dry eye evaluation and treatment in Santa Monica, California. Dr. Irina Yakubin, OD uses advanced diagnostics — including meibography — to pinpoint the root cause of your dry eye rather than just masking symptoms. Based on what's driving your discomfort, she builds a personalized plan that may include in-office therapies such as intense pulsed light (IPL), radiofrequency (RF), and low-level light therapy (LLLT), along with prescription treatments, eyelid hygiene, and long-term management to keep symptoms under control
You may be dealing with dry eye if your eyes feel:
Burning, stinging, or irritated—especially by the end of the day
Gritty, like there’s sand or something stuck in your eye
Blurry or fluctuating vision that improves when you blink
Tired, heavy, or strained after screen time
Watery or tearing excessively (a common but confusing symptom)
Not Sure if it’s Dry Eye? Take our 1-minute dry eye symptom check
Dry Eye Clinic in Santa Monica
Relief for dry, burning, screen-tired eyes
Not Sure If It’s Dry Eye?
Many patients with dry eye don’t feel “dry.”
Take this quick 1-minute check to see if your symptoms may be related to dry eye or eyelid gland dysfunction.
Want a copy of your results and next steps?
Schedule a Dry Eye Evaluation
Dr. Irina Yakubin, OD uses advanced diagnostics, including meibography, to identify and treat the root cause of dry eye—your evaluation is focused, personalized, and designed to uncover what’s driving your symptoms.
If you’re experiencing dry, irritated, or uncomfortable eyes, we welcome you to schedule your dry eye evaluation or contact our office with questions.
What Is Dry Eye Disease?
Dry eye disease is a chronic condition in which the eyes do not produce enough quality tears or tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to inflammation of the ocular surface and symptoms that can fluctuate throughout the day.
Dry eye is common and often underdiagnosed, especially in people who use digital devices regularly or live in dry or windy environments.
Common Symptoms of Dry Eye
Dry eye disease may cause:
Burning or stinging eyes
Gritty, sandy, or foreign-body sensation
Redness or irritation
Excessive tearing (a reflex response to dryness)
Blurry or fluctuating vision
Eye fatigue, especially with screen use
Discomfort with contact lenses
Symptoms may be mild or persistent and can worsen over time without proper treatment.
What Causes Dry Eye?
Dry eye often results from a combination of factors, including:
Meibomian gland dysfunction (oil layer deficiency)— this is also known as evaporative dry eye (EDE)
Reduced tear production
Excessive tear evaporation
Prolonged screen use and reduced blinking
Hormonal changes
Certain medications or medical conditions
Because dry eye has multiple underlying causes, effective treatment requires a targeted evaluation.
Dry Eye Care in Santa Monica
In Santa Monica, environmental factors such as wind exposure, screen-heavy work environments, and lifestyle demands can contribute to dry eye symptoms across all age groups.
At OptiHealth Optometry, dry eye care focuses on identifying the specific cause of symptoms rather than relying on one-size-fits-all treatments.
How Dry Eye Is Evaluated
Dr. Irina Yakubin, OD performs a comprehensive dry eye evaluation to assess both tear quality and ocular surface health.
An evaluation may include assessment of:
Tear film stability and quality
Eyelid and meibomian gland function including meibography
Ocular surface inflammation
Blink patterns
Environmental and lifestyle contributors
Coexisting conditions such as digital eye strain
This approach allows for personalized treatment planning.
Dry Eye Treatment Options
Treatment recommendations are individualized and may include a combination of the following:
In-Office Therapies
Performed at our Santa Monica clinic:
At-Home & Ongoing Care
Daily and prescription-based management you'll continue at home: prescription eye drops/medications, eyelid hygiene and warm compresses, screen-use and contributing-factor management, long-term maintenance to reduce flare-ups
Prescription eye drops or medications
Eyelid hygiene and warm compress routines
Management of contributing factors such as screen use
Long-term maintenance strategies to reduce flare-ups
Dry eye is a chronic condition, but with proper management, symptoms can be significantly improved and stabilized.
When Should You Schedule a Dry Eye Evaluation?
You should consider a dry eye evaluation if you:
Experience persistent irritation or discomfort
Have fluctuating or blurry vision
Rely on artificial tears frequently
Struggle with contact lens comfort
Notice symptoms worsening with screen use
Early evaluation can help prevent progression and protect long-term eye health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dry eye disease?
Dry eye disease is a chronic condition in which your eyes don't make enough quality tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. This inflames the ocular surface and causes symptoms like burning, grittiness, fluctuating vision, and — confusingly — watery eyes. It's common and frequently underdiagnosed, especially with heavy screen use.
How is dry eye treated at OptiHealth Optometry?
Treatment begins with a focused evaluation to identify the specific cause, followed by a personalized plan. Options may include in-office therapies — intense pulsed light (Lumecca IPL), radiofrequency (Forma RF), and low-level light therapy (iLight LLLT) — alongside prescription drops, eyelid hygiene, warm compresses, and at-home maintenance. Because dry eye has multiple causes, the right combination is tailored to you.
What's the difference between IPL, radiofrequency, and LLLT?
All three target the inflammation and meibomian gland dysfunction behind evaporative dry eye, using different forms of energy. IPL applies gentle light pulses to the skin around the eyes to calm inflammation and improve gland function; radiofrequency uses controlled warmth to support the eyelid glands and tear film; and LLLT uses low-level light to reduce inflammation. They can be used alone or combined into one plan.
What is Punctal Occlusion?
Punctal occlusion is a minimally invasive procedure that treats dry eyes by blocking the small drainage openings in the eyelids. By slowing down how quickly tears leave the eye, this process keeps the surface naturally moist and lubricated for longer-lasting relief.
Does dry eye treatment hurt?
Most patients tolerate these treatments well. IPL can feel like a quick, warm snap against the skin, radiofrequency feels warm, and LLLT is painless. Sessions are brief, and most people return to normal activities right away.
How many treatments will I need?
It depends on the type and severity of your dry eye. Many in-office protocols involve a short series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart, sometimes with periodic maintenance, since dry eye is a chronic condition. Dr. Yakubin will recommend a specific plan after your evaluation.
What happens during a dry eye evaluation?
Dr. Yakubin assesses your tear quality, eyelid and meibomian gland function, ocular surface health, blink patterns, and lifestyle or environmental contributors — often using meibography to image the glands. This pinpoints what's driving your symptoms so treatment is targeted rather than one-size-fits-all.
How much does dry eye treatment cost?
Cost depends on which therapies your plan includes. You can review current options on our Dry Eye Treatment Pricing page, and financing is available. We'll go over the recommended plan and pricing with you before anything begins.
Is dry eye treatment covered by insurance?
A medical dry eye evaluation may be billable to insurance in some cases, while advanced in-office treatments like IPL, RF, and LLLT are typically elective and paid out of pocket. See our Fees & Insurance page for details, and we'll help you understand what to expect.
Can I wear contact lenses after treatment?
Yes — you can typically resume contact lens wear as usual after in-office dry eye treatments, unless your provider advises otherwise.
How do I know if I have dry eye?
If your eyes feel burning, gritty, tired, or watery — especially after screen time — you may have dry eye even if they don't feel "dry." Our 1-minute dry eye symptom checker can help you gauge your symptoms, and an evaluation can confirm the cause.